Denmark Eurovision

The Danish heat of the Eurovision Song Contest resulted in a Viking-themed song by singer Jonas Flodager Rasmussen being picked to represent the Scandinavian nation at May's competition in Lisbon.

The hirsute singer's stage show included Viking long boats, smoke and dancers dressed as warriors. The song is inspired by the Icelandic sagas of Magnus Erlendsson, the 12th century Earl of Orkney, writes broadcaster DR.

32-year-old Rasmussen, who comes from the town of Viborg in Jutland, took 50 percent of viewers' votes to see off the challenges of fellow Danish singers Anna Ritsmar and Albin Fredy in the musical showdown in Aalborg.

The singer has worked in Denmark's music industry for several years in musicals and tribute concerts to the like of Elton John and Abba as well as performing as lead singer in cover band Hair Metal Heröes.

"I am completely overwhelmed. This is crazy… insane! Fifty percent of the votes… I just don't believe it," he told DR after winning the national contest.

"I hadn't even been thinking about Portugal. But I believe in my song and believe in the cool show we have put together in relation to the scene show, costumes, hair, makeup and so on. I think we have a great chance of making an impression in Portugal," Rasmussen, who studied music and drama at Aarhus University, told the broadcaster.

Experts on the centuries-old Nordic practice say they are not surprised by the popularity of series such as the MGM Television series “Vikings”, and “The Last Kingdom” on Netflix, as well as HBO's “Game of Thrones”, which draws some of its inspiration from the Icelandic sagas.

Singer Jonas Flodager Rasmussen also looks the part for the Viking theme, with his bushy red beard and long, wild hair not far off the classic image of the raiders who reigned over - and terrorised - the Scandinavian region and beyond from the 8th-11th centuries.

Archaeologist Jeanette Varberg of the National Museum of Denmark said in an interview with broadcaster DR that Rasmussen's song fits well with the times. "He's a good singer, but he also fits in perfectly with the times. When I saw that he'd won [on Saturday], I thought that the interest in Vikings is now peaking," Varberg said to DR.

Rasmussen's Eurovision raid on Lisbon on behalf of Denmark is in itself evocative of Viking times, Varberg said.

"Our ancestors have already been over and occupied Lisbon. They plundered the city and burned it down - just as we usually did on raids," said the archaeologist, who is currently working on a book about the Viking raid on Lisbon in 844 CE, when the city was part of the Islamic Emirate of Cordoba.

Despite the violent nature of Viking history, Varberg said the "strong television series culture" which currently draws on the historical Scandinavian peoples gave a "relatively realistic insight into Viking times". "[The various television series] recreate the past on screen and through their characters. You do not need to read books to learn about history, it has now become entertainment," she said to DR.

Odds on Eurovision Song Contest 2018: Will Denmark qualify for the final?